ABOUT THE BOOK

Stories from the Field: Social Work at the Time of the Pandemic is a powerful collection of first-person narratives from Filipino social workers who served on the front lines during the COVID-19 crisis. Often overlooked as first responders, social workers played vital roles across diverse settings, from hospitals and child-caring institutions to communities and policy offices. This book captures their courage, compassion, and adaptability as they navigated unprecedented challenges: providing care in health facilities, protecting vulnerable populations in residential settings, supporting grassroots efforts, and even stepping into direct service roles outside their usual functions. Through these deeply personal accounts, the book highlights the invisible work, emotional resilience, and professional commitment of social workers in times of crisis. More than just documentation, it is a tribute to a profession rooted in service, and a valuable resource to enrich social work education, practice, and advocacy in the face of future humanitarian emergencies.

By centering lived experience and autoethnography, this book amplifies the often-unheard voices of social work practitioners. It recognizes that vital knowledge, ethical reflection, and innovation emerge directly from frontline practice—in hospitals, barangays, isolation units, and community offices—despite the heavy demands of service delivery. Both scholarly and deeply human, this milestone publication honors the courage of social workers and documents a critical chapter in national history. It strengthens Philippine social work literature and affirms the University of the Philippines Department of Social Work’s leadership in advancing transformative, context-grounded education and practice.

Prof. Justin Francis Leon Nicolas, RSW, PhD

Dean, College of Social Work and Community Development

University of the Philippines Diliman

Stories from the Field: Social Work at the Time of the Pandemic recounts the experiences of social workers navigating uncertainty and disruption during COVID-19. Guided by the values of respect, social justice, and professional integrity, they remained on the front lines, continuing to serve vulnerable communities despite unprecedented challenges. Amid loss and prolonged adjustment, social workers showed resilience, compassion, and adaptability. This book captures their lived stories of courage and growth, highlighting strength, hope, and the enduring human capacity to rebuild in times of crisis.

Assoc. Prof. Victor M. Viray, RSW, PhD

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker

Head, Department of Social Work and Development,

Sydney Metropolitan Institute of Technology

Author, Trauma-Informed Social Work Counselling

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Angelito B. Meneses is a social worker, educator, and advocate for indigenous and transformative approaches to development. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Saint Louis University in Baguio City. He holds both a Master of Community Development and a Doctor of Social Development from the University of the Philippines Diliman where he now serves as faculty at the Department of Social Work and Community Development. A former NGO program director and international volunteer, Meneses brings grounded field experience into his teaching and research. His academic interests include indigenous knowledge systems, spiritualities in social work, and the role of community participation in social transformation. He is the author of The True Taste of Water:A Social Worker’s Lived Experience of Volunteerism, a reflection on grassroots practice and personal growth.

Yolanda G. Ealdama is a professorial lecturer of social work at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. She served as deputy chairperson of the International Consortium on Social Development-Asia Pacific (ICSD- AP). She was board member at large of ICSD-AP from 2007 to 2010. She is a lifetime member of the International Association of Schools of Social Work in her individual capacity, and the Philippine Association of Social Workers Inc. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Diploma in Women and Development from the University of the Philippines. She has a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, The Netherlands. As a social worker, she has an extensive experience in development and humanitarian work and served as technical expert in different social welfare and development organizations. As an academician, her scholarly articles were published both in national and international publications–among them, the Oxford Encyclopedia of Social Work. She has been tapped as a peer reviewer of journal articles for local and international publications. She has presented papers in national and international conferences and served as reviewer of papers submitted to various professional conferences.

Suzanne M. Nazal is an independent social development consultant and senior lecturer at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. She specializes in civil society engagement, social planning, project development, and international social work. Ms. Nazal obtained Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from UP Diliman. For eighteen years, she worked at the Asian Development Bank where she focused on strengthening civil society participation in development activities.